An important motion has been put forward by a Liberal Democrat Councillor at North West Leicestershire District Council, calling for a 'u-turn on Local Government Reform' and to 'drop plans' to 'abolish[...] two tier local government'.

Councillor Michael Wyatt of North West Leicestershire District Council has put forward a motion for the full council meeting tonight (16 September), calling on the Reform UK run council to write a letter to Sir Kier Starmer and the Labour Government 'to perform a u-turn on Local Government Reform and drop its plans.'

Cllr Wyatt put forward the motion, which says: "This Council notes that since being elected last year, there have been a series of Government's u-turns including on welfare reforms and winter fuel payments.

"This Council notes that Labour did not reference abolishing two-tier local government in its manifesto and therefore has no mandate to proceed with this fundamental change.

"This Council believes that local district and borough councils provide essential discretionary services including economic development, community safety, welfare support and town centre events amongst others.

"These will be at risk, should districts be scrapped and merged with upper-tier councils, whose budgets face ever increasing pressures because of the failure of successive governments to properly address social services and SEND funding shortfall."

The motion outlines that the economic basis that unitary councils would save money has not yet been proven and on top of that, the cost of transitions could cost millions. Wyatt also says there is "no clear evidence from areas, where councils have moved to unitary status, that substantial savings are being made."

He ends the statement by saying: "Therefore, this Council calls on Sir Kier Starmer and the Labour Government to preform a u-turn on Local Government Reform and drop its plan.

"I would, therefore, call on the Council to instruct its Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister to set out the Council's position and to communicate this with other local authorities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland."

A full council meeting will take place at 6.30pm at Forest Room, Stenson House, Coalville and is available to watch online through this link.